50 Years of Title IX: Jeanne Myers - Women's Tennis
6/6/2022 4:23:00 PM | Women's Tennis
On June 23, 1972, President Richard Nixon signed Title IX which prohibited federally funded educational institutions from discrimination on the basis of sex. Schools were required to equalize male and female athletics in areas such as recruitment, equipment, and coaching. To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, we interviewed current and former female athletes about their experience at Cal Poly.
In 1975, Jeanne Myers began her two-year collegiate tennis career at Cal Poly after transferring from Ventura Community College. She mentioned how the passing of Title IX allowed her to thrive as a student-athlete.
Jeanne grew up playing tennis with her family and chose to follow in their footsteps. Jeanne was the youngest of five girls, four of whom played tennis. Growing up, the sisters would paint lines in their yard to simulate a tennis court. In the summer they would teach tennis lessons at their local recreation department. Two of her sisters went on to play at Fresno State and one at San Diego State.
Prior to Title IX, the Cal Poly women's tennis team was just a club sport with no official schedule. Additionally, the girls were not allowed to use the men's courts or even had their own uniforms.
Upon her arrival at Cal Poly, Myers was offered one of the first women's tennis scholarships. She was on the No. 1 doubles team and played at the No. 2 singles spot. Jeanne emphasized how honored she felt, "playing for something bigger." Myers talks of how being in a league motivated the team to work harder. She recalls practicing three hours a day and traveling on weekends for matches.
One of Jeanne's standout memories was facing against Cal Poly's rival, UC Santa Barbara.
"I wouldn't have changed it for the world."
Jeanne talks about the great relationship she has with the girls she met through her time at Cal Poly.
"I found a lot of my best friends through tennis. They are the ones I still keep in touch with."
The team had a reunion five years ago with the starting six girls and their coach, Sonya Glassmeyer, in Pismo Beach. They plan to have another reunion this year.
"Being a part of a team gave me all the motivation I needed to stay in school. It gave me a need and desire to go to school every day." says Myers.
In 1979 Myers graduated from Cal Poly with a degree in liberal studies and stayed an extra year to be a student teacher. She then went on to be a special education teacher.
Myers now resides in Paso Robles. Her two sons live close by.
"I would do it all again," she concludes on her tennis and professional career.
Story by: Catie Logan - Cal Poly Athletic Communications
